OBU family and friends gathered together Oct. 23 in Shawnee Hall’s Craig-Dorland Theatre to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Henry F. McCabe, to officially name the OBU School of Education in his honor, and to recognize the McCabe family for their extraordinary gift.
The McCabe gift will benefit current and future teacher education students on Bison Hill, ranging from updates and advances within the Shawnee Hall space utilized by the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education to increased training and growth opportunities for students and faculty within the school.
Ties between the McCabe family and the University run deep through their long history of generous support of OBU, four generations of OBU graduates and a family member on the OBU faculty.
Calling the dedication ceremony an extraordinary milestone for the School of Education, OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas thanked the McCabe family for their investment in the lives of future educators who will be equipped for their callings through the school.
“We are deeply honored to carry this distinguished name,” Thomas said. “We are honored to hold this investment in the future of OBU. We pray that our stewardship of the values and the legacy of the McCabe family will lead us forward to new heights in teacher education. We are profoundly grateful.”
McCabe was deeply committed to education and believed in its transformational power. He understood the impact education has on a person’s future and invested in the education of countless individuals. His deep faith guided his path through life.
“For Henry McCabe, everything he was and all that he did was for Jesus. His faith was integral and radiated from his very being,” said Dr. Elizabeth Justice, chair of the OBU McCabe Family School of Education, assistant professor of special education and the granddaughter of Henry McCabe.
“OBU has historically been and continues to be unapologetically Christian, grounded in the truths of the Bible. Therefore, as we look to the future, the McCabe Family School of Education will continue to pursue Christ in all that we do. As we use this transformational gift, we pray that our every action is a picture of Colossians 1:10, that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. In the words of our president Dr. Thomas, we commit to living ‘all of life, all for Jesus.’”
Henry McCabe’s son, Verne McCabe, reflected on the influence his father had on his life saying he was “truly a man of integrity who showed love, compassion and generosity to everyone who crossed his path.”
Later that evening, the McCabe family was recognized on the field before the homecoming football game, with an announcement regarding the establishment of the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education. Verne McCabe then performed the coin toss for the football game.